Indian Gay Feature Film about Mother-Son Bond Wins Top Award at Chicago South Asian Film Festival

Indian feature film ‘Evening Shadows’ won the audience award for Best Feature Film at the recently concluded Chicago South Asian Film Festival in USA.

“We are happy that our film ‘Evening Shadows’ is being awarded and appreciated even at mainstream film festivals, apart from LGBTQ film festivals. This fulfills one of the objectives of the film – to reach out a mass audience with the message of acceptance. Now we push for the second objective – of releasing the film commercially – in theaters and television – in India,” said director Sridhar Rangayan.

Elated at this win, which is the fourth award the film has garnered, Saagar Gupta, creative director and writer, said, “Thank you Chicago audience for loving and voting for our film. Also thanks to Chicago South Asian Film Festival for giving a platform to our film, Evening Shadows. Right from the times of Swami Vivekanand, India has a special connect with Chicago and its people. With ‘Evening Shadows’ winning the Best Feature Film Audience Award, we are happy and humbled that this bond got strengthened more”.

One of the producers of the film Mohammed Shaik Hussain Ali, who presented the film at the festival said, “CSAFF was an amazing chance to showcase the movie, it’s brilliance and the amazing performance amidst my near & dear ones. The love from the audience in the form of the audience award was a testimony. It was a pleasure being surrounded by friends, family & the local South Asian LGBTQ community.”

The film ‘Evening Shadows’ screened to a houseful audience at the festival and was supported by the local South Asian group Trikone Chicago. The Q&A was moderated by well known local trans artist Sal.

“Chicago South Asian Film Festival presented an eclectic slate of 70+ films over the course of 4 days which included amazing award winning LGBTQ films. The participating filmmakers represented a wide diverse contemporary queer word cinema representing true South Asian Diaspora. We are very happy that Evening Shadows emerged as a winner of Chicago South Asian Film Festival and the festival could become a platform to spotlight the lives of LGBTQ community,” said Jigar Shah, festival manager.

The producers of ‘Evening Shadows’ are delighted that the film is gaining a lot of acclaim across the world with official selection at around 38 international film festivals, and at many festivals being the opening, closing or centerpiece film.

Sridhar Rangayan, director of the film, will be on a 15-day ‘Evening Shadows Grand European Tour’ from Oct 9th – 24th presenting 7 screenings in 5 cities across 4 countries (see schedule below).

“I will not only be presenting the film, but also carrying the euphoria of the Indian LGBTQ community that is celebrating the freedom from Sec 377, after a long and hard fought battle. ‘Evening Shadows’ represents that victory of acceptance,” said Rangayan as he prepares for the grand tour.

Recently eminent actor Shabana Azmi who saw the film one day after the 377 verdict had said, “After watching ‘Evening Shadows’ I really feel that it has made me a better human being. I feel that all families, especially in our country, should see this film. I hope that a big studio, or a big producer will embrace this film and presents it. I have full trust that this film will be a hit at the box office.”